FROM A CLUBMAN’S CHAIR

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21646, 6 May 1940, Page 8

FROM A CLUBMAN’S CHAIR

A Jellicoe Joins The Guards Norwegians In London (Specially written for " The Tlmaru Herald” by Charles Martin) LONDON. April 12. On the day that the Germans invaded Norway I happened to pass the Norwegian Travel Bureau in the West End of London. Like many others I wondered if the declared intention of the Nazis to ‘ protect” this Scandinavian country would mean that the shutters would soon go up outside yet another of the foreign agencies in London. Painters were busy giving the Bureau a fresh coat of green and white in readiness for the summer holiday season. The clerks in the office were also busy, but the inquiries were not about holidays. Callers were mostly Norwegians anxious to return home, though of course no information w T as available. A spirit of optimism prevailed, however. An order to the decorators to paint a sign: “Frequent sailings to Finland, Norway and Sweden” had been countermanded, “for the time being”; otherwise the workmen were carrying on as usual. Canada’s New Governor-General Before Lord Athione leaves England to take up his ppst as GovernorGeneral of Canada he will relinquish to the King the keys of Windsor Castle. As Constable and Governor of the castle he has held these keys for the last, nine years. The duties attached to the position are mainly nominal; most of the work of running the Castle is done by the DeputyConstable and Lieutenant-Governor, at present Lord Wigram. former Private Secretary to King George V. Lord Athione has closed his town house at Kensington Palace; his country home in Sussex is to let for the term of the owner’s service in Canada. Standing in 150 acres of parkland and gardens, in a well-wooded countryside which has been described as typically English, the 30-roomed Victorian mansion is offered fully furnished for a rent of just over £l2 a week. It contains many souvenirs of Lord Athlone’s safaris in South Africa; much priceless furniture, including specimens of Chippendale and Sheridan; and a full-length portrait of Princess Alice by Philip de Laszl. This picture is to hang in Government House. Ottawa. Drake Goes West The Germans are reported to be melting down their unwanted statues, particularly those of obscure personalities. to provide new metal. Among the “obscure” whose effigies are destined for the furnace is Sir Francis Drake. Many German towns have erected a statue to the memory of this famous Elizabethan, not because he sailed round the world and beat the Spaniards, but because he introduced the potato to Germany. In other countries. incidentally, the credit for this introduction is generally given to Sir Walter Raleigh. London is rich in statues, and some Londoners would not object very strongly if the German example were to be followed in this matter, though the grounds for desiring such removals might be ugliness of the design rather than obscurity of the original. But no English statues are likely to be destroyed deliberately. As regards damage by possible air raiders, a few have been heavily sand-bagged or removed to a place of safety, but the majority have been left to take their chance. Jellicoe Comes Back

In Trafalgar Square the famous equestrian statue of Charles has been specially favoured with air raid protection. though nothing has been done about Nelsen! The bronze figures of Jellicoe and Beatty, due for unveiling in the Square last October, were buried in Regent’s Park. These have now been dug up and are on view at the Royal Academy, where I understand they will remain for a few months prior to their erection alongside the Nelson Monument as part of the fountain memorial. With the news that these figures of famous admirals were on exhibition came the announcement that the son of one of them, the present Earl Jellicoe. had been gazetted as a

second-lieutenant in the Coldstream Guards. The Earl, who Is 22. does not intend to make the Army his career. When he left Cambridge he planned to enter the diplomatic service, a sphere with which he made indirect contact not long ago, when he won a handicap race on the Cresta Run. St. Moritz, with Mr Joseph Kennedy, son of the American Ambassador, a close second.

Champagne, Clocks and Cats London is drinking more champagne, buying more clocks and trying to buy cats. Champagne is the favourite leave-time drink at restaurants; stocks are ample, prices are still pre-war and no difficulty has yet arisen about obtaining fresh shipments; a good vintage can be bought for 12/- or 14 - a bottle, whereas the prices of whisky has risen to over 14/and is expected to rise still further. The war has produced a much greater demand than usual for alarm clocks—the huge home army of defence workers must needs be punctual. Wrist watches, too, have been bought in larger quantities, mainly by men ni the Services. These factors, combined with the stoppage of supplies from Germany, have led to a shortage of time pieces. The industry has worked at full pressure and new factories I hear, are planned. It will not be long before the number of operatives employed will have grown from 10.000 to 20.000.

And the cats? There has been a real shortage of these pets in London as result of their wholesale destruction at the beginning of the war. It is estimated that 100,000 cats were killed in London alone within the first few days. Rats and mice are increasing, and puss is now in big demand. Animal welfare societies have no difficulty in finding homes for strays and I have heard of tabby kittens changing hands at five shillings each.

Sport Helps Red Cross There is no doubt that sport in Britain is doing a fine job of work on behalf of the Red Cross, Contributions from sporting associations and the sport-loving public have averaged £l,OOO a week since the outbreak of war and there is no sign of a falling-off in this support. Much has been heard of the substantial contributions from golf and football, for instance, but the minor sports are doing their share in the same spirit. National tournaments in chess and bridge have been arranged, rollerskaters are giving exhibitions, and the thousands of darts-players are doing their bit. No game is unrepresented in the effort to raise big sums quickly for this most deserving of all causes. I have just heard of a domino competition in a North of England hotel which produced 4/-.